Transportable storage bin assembly

ABSTRACT

STORAGE BINS OR LIKE ARTICLES, EACH HAVING A STORAGE COMPARTMENT PORTION AND AN UPSTANDING BACK MEMBER, ARE DESIGNED TO BE VERTICALLY STACKED WITH THE SUPPORT MEMBER OF ONE BIN EXTENDING INTO A DOWNWARDLY OPENING SLOT IN ANOTHER BIN. TO PERMIT TWO OR MORE SUCH STACKED BINS TO BE CARRIED AS A UNIT MEANS ARE PROVIDED FOR POSITIVELY INTERCONNECTING THE BINS IN THE STACKED ARRAY. VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN WHICH THE BACK MEMBER OF ONE BIN IS POSITIVELY CONNECTED TO ANOTHER BIN IN THE STACKED ARRAY.

Sept. 21,' 1971 J..E. JOYCE TRANSPORTABLE STORAGE BIN ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1969 INVIL'N'IUR. James E dbyce BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,606,949 TRANSPORTABLE STORAGE BIN ASSEMBLY James E. Joyce, 878 Darien Circle, Rochester, Mich. 48063 Filed Feb. 11, 1969, Ser. No. 798,305 Int. Cl. A47f 3/14; B65d 21/02 US. Cl. 211-126 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to stackable storage bins and the like and more particularly to means for positively interconnecting such bins in the stacked condition to permit the stacked bins to be carried as a unit.

US. Pat. No. 3,207,321 granted to James E. Joyce on Sept. 21, 1965, discloses a storage bin which may be stacked with other similar storage bins to form a vertical array which is self-supporting and which provides convenient access to the contents of each bin in the stacked array. In general, each bin includes a bottom, front and rear walls, and side walls to form a substantially enclosed storage compartment. The bin is further provided with an upstanding support member joined to and generally rearwardly spaced from the rear wall of the storage compartment to define a downwardly opening vertical slot. This slot is adapted to receive the upper portion of the support member of another similar bin into telescopic relation therewith to provide the self-supporting vertically stacked array.

In accordance with the present invention, two or more such bins when in the stacked condition may be conveniently transported as a unit in such a way as to prevent disengagement of the bins should the uppermost bin be grasped for transportation purposes.

In general, this is accomplished by providing locking means for positively interconnecting the bins whereby the stacked array may be transported as a unit simply by grasping the uppermost bin in the array.

In one embodiment of the invention each bin in a stacked array may be positively interconnected with another bin in the array by providing each bin with at least one set of vertically spaced holes such that when at least two bins are placed in the stacked condition, the lowermost hole of the upper bin is coaxially aligned with the uppermost hole in the lower bin to permit a pin bolt to be inserted through the coaligned holes thus locking the bins together.

In another embodiment, the holes in the bins may be placed such that in the stacked condition the holes are vertically spaced thereby to receive respective legs of a U-shaped bolt.

In a still further embodiment, the stacked bins may be interlocked by means of a strap member preferably having adjustable legs which extend along the side of the back support members of the stacked bins and a cross member, the legs being adapted to grasp the lowermost bin and the cross member being adapted to grasp the uppermost bin thereby interlocking the bins and permitting them to be carried as a unit.

In another embodiment the back member of each bin 3,606,949 Patented Sept. 21, 1971 is provided with vertically spaced keyways and pins, the keyway being adapted to receive in locking engagement therewith the pin on the back member of the next lower bin in a stacked array.

In another embodiment, the back member of each bin is provided with a nib and the interior of the stacking slot is provided with a vertically aligned cavity to receive the nib of the next lower bin therein.

Various features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification which is to be taken with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. *1 is a three-quarter view of two bins constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating two alternate forms of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another alternate form of the invention for interlocking a vertically stacked array of bins;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the FIG. 2. embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the FIG. 6 embodiment taken along a line 77.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a pair of similar bins 10 and 12 of the type used to store relatively small articles in batch quantities. Bins 10 and 12 are constructed so as to be stackable in a self-supporting vertical array which permits convenient access to the contents of both bins in the array. It is to be understood that three or more bins similar to bins 10 and 12. may be stacked as suggested in FIG. 1.

Each bin, of which bin 10 is representative, includes a generally flat horizontal bottom 14, an upstanding and preferably outwardly angled front wall 16, a rear wall 18 as best shown in FIG. 2, and a pair of side walls 20 and 22. In addition, bin 10 is provided with an upstanding rectangular back member 24 which is parallel to the rear wall 18 but extends vertically above the rear wall and is rearwardly spaced therefrom to define a downwardly opening vertical slot 26. The slot 26 is defined by the spacing between the rear surface of wall 18 and the front surface of back member 24. Slot 26 extends laterally across the entire width of the bin 10.

Bin 12 is provided with a similar back support member 28 which is adapted to extend upwardly into the slot 26 of bin 10. In the engaged condition the bins 10 and 12 are disposed in a vertically stacked manner, the back member 28 of bin 12 providing support for the bin 10 by way of slot 26. In this condition the bottom 14 of bin 10 is vertically spaced above bin 12 to permit convenient access to the contents of both bins. Both bins 10 and 12 may be integrally molded from an organic polymeric material.

Bin 10 is further provided with a pair of holes 30 and 32 which are formed in the back member 24 adjacent a lateral edge and vertically spaced one above the other. A second set of holes (not shown) may be formed adjacent the laterally opposite edge of back member 24. In addition, back member 24 has formed therein a gripping aperture 34 which may be laterally elongated to facilitate grasping of the back member 34 by the fingers. Bin 12 is similarly provided with vertically spaced holes 36 and 38 in a gripping aperture 40.

In the stacked condition, the hole 32 of bin 10 is axial ly aligned with hole 36 of bin 12. Accordingly, the holes 32 and 36 receive a pin-type bolt 42 in engagement therewith. Bolt 42 may be formed of a resilient material so as to snugly engage the walls of at least hole 36 thereby to be maintained in position. When locked together by the insertion of pin bolt 42 into aligned holes 32 and 36, the bins and 12 may. be carried about as a unit by insertion of the fingers into the gripping aperture 34. Locking the bins 10 and 12" together precludes the possibility of the bins separating while being transported even though the lowermost bin 12 may be filled with relatively heavy articles which would otherwise tend to withdraw the back portion28 from slot 26.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an alternate means for interlocking the bins 10 and 12. In this embodiment, back member 24 has formed therein a pair of vertically spaced holes 44 and 46, the axes of which are transverse of the bin 10. Hole 46 is preferably directly above slot 26 in the portion of back member 24 which is contiguous with side wall 20. Bin 12 is similarly provided with a pair of corresponding holes 48 and 50. In the vertically stacked condition, holes 46 and 48 may thus receive legs 52 and 54 respectively of a U-shaped pin bolt 56 into engagement therewith. Although FIG. 1 shows only one side of the bins 10 and 12 and accordingly only one -U-shaped pin bolt 56 it is to be understood that a similar arrangement is provided at the other side of each of the bins 10 and 12. With the pin bolt 56 inserted, the bins 10 and 12 are locked together thereby permiting the vertically stacked arrangement to be carried as a unit simply by grasping the aperture 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, hole 46 may extend into or immediately above the interior of bin 10. U-shaped pin bolt 56 has the upper leg 52 thereof hollowed out to act as a bearing for a laterally outwardly extending pivot pin 58 of a rectangular lid 60. In the combined state the pin 58 extends into the hollow leg 52 of U-shaped pin bolt 56 on either side of the bin 10 thus to permit the lid 60 to pivot about pins 58 between open and closed positions relative to the storage compartment of bin 10. It is to be understood that bin 12 may also be provided with such a lid and pin bolt bearing arrangement.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a stacked array of three bins 10, 12, and 12' together with means generally designated at 62 for interlocking the bins to permit transportation thereof as a unit. Several features of the bins shown in FIG. 1 such as the holes 30, 32, 44, and 46 are eliminated from FIG. 2 for the sake of simplicity.

The interlocking means 62 includes a U-shaped strap 64 having a pair of channeled legs 66 and 68 joined by a cross member 70 having formed therein a shallow downwardly opening slot 72. Channeled legs 66 and 68 are adapted to receive, in slidably adjustable relationship therewith, a pair of extensions 74 and 76, respectively. Extension 74 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced holes 78 and a rigid rectangular tab 80 affixed to the inner surface thereof adjacent the terminal end of the leg 74. Leg 76 is similarly provided with a plurality of holes 82 and an inwardly extending tab 84.

The extensions 74 and 76, which are slidably adjustable within the channeled legs 66 and 68, may be fixed in vertical position relative to the legs 66 and 68 by means of pins 86 and 88 which removably extend laterally through the legs 66 and 68 and through a selected one of the holes 78 and 82, respectively.

In use, the apparatus of FIG. 2 is assembled such that the tabs 80 and 84 extend laterally into the slot 26 of the lowermost bin 12' in the stacked array, the width of cross member 70 being such that the extensions 74 and 76 snugly embrace the sides of the bins in the array. The extensions 74 and 76 and the legs 66 and 68 may be flexed outwardly for the insertion of tabs 80 and 84. In addition, the back member 24 of the uppermost bin 10 extends upwardly into the shallow slot 72 of cross member 70, this being accomplished by suitable adjustment of the extensions 74 and 76 within the legs 66 and 68 of the U- shaped strap 64. When so assembled the entire arrangement of apparatus including the stacked bins 10, 12, and

12' may be carried as a unit by grasping aperture 34. The

' upward force applied by ones fingers through aperture 34 is transmitted to the lowermost bin 12' by way of the legs 66 and 68, the extensions 74 and 76, and the tabs and 84 which are disposed within the slot 26' on the lowermost bin 12.

Referring to FIG. 3 an alternate construction of the apparatus 62 is shown. In FIG. 3 the U-shaped strap 64 has secured to the cross portion 70 thereof an upstanding handle portion 90 which eliminates the necessity for an aperture 34 in the back member 24 of bin 10. The apparatus of FIG. 3 may be otherwise similar to the apparatus of FIG. 2 and adapted to cooperate in a similar fashion.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate construction of the extensions 74 and 76 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 4 the tab 80" is separate from the extension 74' so as to be removable therefrom. Tab 80 is notched out along one side as shown at 81 to coact with the upturned end of extension 74. To assemble the tab 80 to the extension 74, tab 80 is provided with a fiat, elongated key 92 connected to the tab 80 by means of a short shaft 94 carrying a spring 95. The extension 74 is provided with an offset portion 96 having an elongated aperture 98 adapted to receive the key portion 92 of tab 80'. Spring biases the tab 80' outwardly so that when it is turned through 90 after insertion, the notched out portion 81 is biased against the upturned end of extension 74'.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a bin 10 has an upstanding back member 24 with an L-shaped keyway 100 formed therein. Keyway 100 has a vertical portion opening at the bottom edge of the back member 24 and a horizontal portion which joins the vertical portion at a right angle. Aligned vertically above the horizontal portion on back member 24 is a rearwardly projecting pin 102 having an enlarged head portion. A second keyway and pin may also be located adjacent the other side of bin 10, but is omitted from the drawing.

In assembling a vertically stacked array of the bins illustrated in FIG. 5, the back member 24 of one such bin is inserted into the slot 26 in another such bin, the pins 102 entering the vertical portions of keyways 100 and traveling up to the horizontal portion of keyways 100. The bins are then urged laterally of one another to displace pins 102 into the horizontal portions of keyways 100 as far as possible to lock the bins together against relative vertical separation.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment wherein the back member 24 of each bin 10 is provided with a forwardly extending nib 104 adjacent the top edge thereof. A vertically aligned cavity 106 is provided in the forward surface of slot 26. In assembling a vertically stacked array of the bins illustrated in FIG. 6, the back member 24 of one such bin is inserted into the slot 26 of another such bin and the nib 104 is forced into the cavity 106 locking the bins together against relative vertical separation. Two or more sets of vertically aligned nibs and cavities may be provided.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative in nature and is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination: an open top storage bin having a horizontally disposed bottom, a rear wall, sides, and a back member extending substantially parallel to and vertically above the rear wall and being rearwardly spaced from the rear wall to define a vertical slot extending laterally across the bin whereby two or more of the bins may be disposed in a free-standing, vertically stacked array wherein the back member of a lower bin extends upwardly into the vertical slot of the next upper bin and the back members maintain the bins in such a vertical relationship as to permit access to the open top of each bin even when in the stacked array, means for positively interconnecting the back members of the bins only when disposed in the stacked condition to permit the stacked array to be carried as a unit and including a pair of substantially vertically spaced holes having parallel axes and formed in each side of the bin the lowermost hole in each side being disposed adjacent and above the slot, and the uppermost hole in each side being disposed in an upper portion of the back member, a pair of substantially U- shaped bolts each having legs to be disposed within the uppermost hole of the lower bin, and the lowermost hole in the upper bin in a stacked array, the leg of each of the U-shaped bolts extending through the lowermost hole being hollow, and a substantially fiat lid for closing the bin, the lid having at each lateral end thereof a pivot member adapted to extend into the hollow leg of the U-shaped bolt to pivot therein.

Puciato 220-4 Simon 312111X Hupp 287103AX Felton 312-111X Imel 22023.83X Rojakovick 108-109 Joyce 211126 Davis 22097B Eggler et al. 248-424 RAMON s. BRITTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

